Pull tab for gable top container



June 17, 1969 w. R. BARRETT 3,450,328

PULL TAB FOR GABL-E TOP CONTAINER Filed Dec. 22, 1967 Sheet of 4 INVENTOR. W.R. BARRET T A 7' TORNEYS June :17, 1969 w. R. BARRETT 3,

PULL. TAB FOR UABLE TOP CONTAINER Filed Dec. 22, 1967 Sheet 2 of 4 lGc:

INVENTOR. W.R. BARRETT Arron/v7.27;

June 17, 1969 w. R. BARRETT 3 PULL TAB FOR GABLE TOP CONTAINER Filed Dec. 22, 1967 Sheet 3 of 4 FIG. 5

62 63 62 INVENTOR.

2 Q l 8 WE. BARRETT BY C v FIG. 4 7

A T TOR/VEKS June 17, 1969 w. R. BARRETT 3,450,328

PULL TAB FOR GABLE TOP CONTAINER Filed Dec. 22, 1967 Sheet 4 of 4 F IG. 7

I wavszifls'iza'a fl ISKF agz' as 883 84 INVENTOR. 4 6 W.R.BARRETT BY QMKM A TTORNEYS United States Patent 3,450,328 PULL TAB FOR GABLE TOP CONTAINER Willis R. Barrett, Overland Park, Kaus., assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 22, 1967, Ser. No. 692,829 Int. Cl. B65d /72, 5/74 US. Cl. 229-17 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE One of the problems encountered in the use of gable top containers has been the difliculty in initially opening the sealed container. One means employed in an effort to overcome this difliculty has been the snap-action score line arrangement in the roof panels. However, even with the snap action score lines, it is not uncommon to experience diificulties in the initial opening of the container due to the strength of the bond between the pouring spout panel and the adjacent panel and/or mechanical interlocking caused by jamming of the paperboard in the formation of the gable top. In containers utilizing a slit or weakened line of severance to form the pouring lip, jamming can occur between the upper and lower edges thereof. In some cases resort has been made to the use of knives or other instruments to pry out a reluctant pouring spout panel.

In accordance with the invention these difliculties can be overcome by providing a pull tab attached to the pouring spout panel. Structural difiioulties can be avoided and the cost minimized by the utilization of a heat sealable tape to form the tab.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide an improved gable top container. It is an object of the invention to provide greater ease in opening a gable top container. It is an object of the invention to provide a. gable top container having a pull tab attached to the pouring spout panel.

Other objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a study of the specification, the drawings and the appended claims to the invention.

In the drawings, FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a gable top container to which the present invention is applicable; FIGURE 2. is a plan view of the paperboard blank from which the container of FIGURE 1 is formed; FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the gable top structure of the container of FIGURE 1 incorporating a tab tape in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, in a partially opened container; FIGURE 4 is a horizontal cross section of the tab tape of FIGURE 3; FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the gable top structure of FIGURE 3 with the tab tape removed and the container in the fully opened position; FIGURE 6 is a horizontal cross section of a second embodiment of a tab tape which can be employed; FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the partially opened gable top structure of the container of FIGURE 1 incorporating a tab tape in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; and FIGURE 8' is a cross sectional view along line 8--8 of a portion of the pouring spout panel and tab tape of FIGURE 7.

Referring to FIGURE 2, the rectangular blank is provided with vertical score lines 12, 13, 14 and 15, extend- "ice ing upwardly from the lower edge of the blank to a series 16 of horizontally extending score lines 16a, 16b 16c, 16d and 166. The score lines 13-, 14 and 16b define a front side wall panel 17. Score lines 15 and 16d, and 12 and 162 define panels 18-and 19, the free edges of which, in the formed container, are overlapped and joined by a permanent adhesive bond to form a rear side wall panel which is located opposite front side panel 17. End wall panels 21 and 22 are defined by score lines 12, 13 and 16a and 14, 15 and 160, respectively. Horizontal score lines 16a and 16c are located lower on the container than score lines 16b, 16d and 16e to substantially reduce the thickness of the folds at adjacent lower corners of the closure panels. In other words, the spacing apart in the vertical plane of the bend of each roof panel into its vertical container wall from the bend of each end closure panel into its vertical container wall permits smaller and more attractive folds in the resulting corners of the container. With the scoring arrangement shown in FIGURE 2, the panels 17, 21, 22 and the rear wall panel formed by panels '18 and 1-9 are all of equal Width.

The vertical score lines 12, 1 3, 14 and 15, which are located at the vertical corners of the completed container, extend upwardly past score lines 16 as at 2'3, 24, 25 and 26, and terminate at the top edge of the blank. Horizontal score line 27 is located a short distance downwardly from the top edge of the blank.

When the blank has been folded to tubular form and oterlapping edges of the panels 18 and 19 have been joined together, a bottom closure 20 (FIGURE 1) is permanently sealed to the lower end of the tubular formation. Score lines 24, 25, 16b and 27 define the front roof closure panel 28. Score lines 24, 25 and 27 define the ridge panel 29, surmounting the front roof panel 28. Score lines 23-, 26, 16d, 16c and 27 define the rear roof closure panel composed of sections 31 and 32. Score lines 26, 23 and 27 define the ridge panel, comprising sections 33 and 34, surmounting the rear roof panel. Score lines 23, 24, 16a and 27 define a rectangular end closure panel. This end closure panel is provided with converging score lines 35 and 36 which at their upper ends intersect the score line 27 medial of score lines 23 and 24, thus defining a triangular end closure panel portion 37 and a pair of triangular fold-back panel portions 38 and 39. Score lines 23, 24, 27 and '41 define ridge panels 42 and 43, surmounting fold-back panel portions 38 and 39, respectively. Score lines 25, 26, 16c and 27 define a second rectangular end closure panel. This second end closure panel is provided with converging score lines 44 and 45, which, at their upper ends, intersect score line 27 medial of score lines 25 and 26, thus defining a triangular end closure panel portion 46 and a pair of triangular foldback panels 47 and 48. Score lines 25, 49, 26 and 27 define ridge panels 51 and 52, surmounting fold-back panel portions 47 and 48, respectively. In the completed container, the pair of opposed roof panels 28 and 31, 32 are inclined toward each other and overlie the top of the tubular body formed by side walls 17, 21, 2'2 and 18, 19. The pair of opposed triangular end closure panels 37 and 46 are infolded between roof panels 28 and 31, 32 from the opposite gable ends formed by the latter, and with their apexes located at the central area of the gable. The fold lines 44, 45, 35 and 36 which join each pair of triangular fold-back panels 47, 48 and 38, 39' to the opposite sides of triangular end closure panels 46 and 37 are in proximity with the roof panels, the fold-back panels being folded against the underside of said roof panels. Ridge panels 51 and '52 surmounting fold-back panels 47 and 48 are hinged together at the apex of end closure panel 46 and are folded about the hinge joinder score line 49 in face-to-face relation, between the ridge panels 29 and 33 surmounting the roof panels. Similarly, ridge panels 42 and 43 surmounting fold-back panels 38 and 39 are hinged together at the apex of end closure panel 37 and are folded about the hinge joinder score line 41 in face-to-face relation, between ridge panels 29 and 33. The ridge panels are heated to form a bond between the contacting thermoplastic coatings to form the ridge structure of the gable top.

Score lines 23, 24, 25 and 26 are of extended width, with respect to the remainder of score lines 12, 13, 14 and 15, with the extension being in a direction toward the center of the respective roof panel. Thus score lines 24 :and 25 are of extended width in the direction of the center of the front roof panel 28, while score lines 23 and 26 are of extended width in a direction toward the center of the rear roof panel formed by panels 31 and 32.

When the blank of FIGURE 2 is folded on the score lines 12, 13, 14 and 15 about the square mandrel of the container erecting machine, the closure panels above the series of score lines 16 form a square tubular cross section in a direction transversely of the container. When the top closure panels are folded inwardly, the greater width of score lines 23, 24, and 26 provides extra material for the end closure panels 46, 47, 48 and 37, 38, 39 and surmounting ridge panels 51, 52 and 42, 43, whereby in the formed and sealed container, ridge panels 43 and 51 have a greater combined length than ridge panel 29 surmounting the front roof panel 28. Similarly ridge panels 52 and 42 have a greater combined length in the formed and sealed container than the ridge .panel formed by panels 33, 34 surmounting the rear roof panel 31, 32. This, in turn, results in the hinge joints on score lines 41 and 49 abutting or slightly overlapping at the center of the laminar ridge structure formed by bonding the ridge panels together.

In the second end closure panel, which serves as the pouring spout, converging score lines 44 and 45 intersect horizontal score line 27 midway between score lines 25 and 26. Vertical score line 49 extends upwardly from the intersection of score lines 44 and 45 to the top edge of the blank. The weakened line of severance or slit 60 is located in the upper part of panel portions '47, 46 and 48 below horizontal score line 27. The weakened line of severance 60 would inter-sect score lines 44 and 45 at points below the junction of score lines 44 and 45 except that score lines '44 and 45 are discontinuous, or interrupted, in the area of the weakened line of severance 60. Score lines 44 and 45 stop short of line 60 to prevent leakage which could otherwise occur by capillary action through the slit and along the score lines. Eliminating all score line grooves in the vicinity of the line 60 provides a fiat surface completely around the periphery of the slit, thus permitting a liquid tight seal to be effected between the tape 61 (FIGURE 1) and the container.

In order to provide a snap action for opening and closing the pouring spout, the front roof panel 28 is provided with score lines 71 and 72, extending upwardly from the intersection of horizontal score line 16b and vertical score line 25 to a point on score line 27 midway between vertical score lines 24 and 25. Score line 71 is preferably formed in three sections 71a, 71b, and 710. Score line 72 is preferably formed in three sections 72a, 72b and 72c. Straight line sections 7112 and 72b are substantially parallel to an imaginary line 73 between the point on score line 27 midway between score lines 24 and 25 and the intersection of score lines 16b and 25. Imaginary line 73 closely approximates the plane of the triangular end closure panel 46 in the infolded, sealed condition. If side walls 17 and 18, 19 were of greater width than walls 21 and 22, score line sections 71a and 72a would intersect score line 27 at or closely adjacent to the intersection of imaginary line 73 with score line 27, or in other words at or closely adjacent to the intersection of the score line 27 with the plane of panel 46 in the infolded, sealed condition of the container. Score section 72b is positioned in roof panel 28 above the imaginary line 73 while score section 7112 is positioned in roof panel 28 below imaginary line 73. Score sections 710 and 720 extend from the lower ends of score sections 71b and 72b, respectively, to converge together at the intersection of score lines 16b and 25. Score sections 71a and 72a extend from the upper ends of score sections 71b and 72b, respectively, to the point on score line 27 midway between score lines 24 and 25. The rear roof panel 31, 32 is provided with score lines 74 and 75, corresponding to score lines 71 and 72, respectively, comprising score sections 74a, 74b, 74c and 75a, 75b, 750, respectively.

A strip of tape 61 (FIGURE 1) is bonded to the second end closure panel in overlying relation to the weakened line of severance 60. The tape 61 is applied over the weakened line of severance 60 and heat sealed to the entire marginal surface about the weakened line of severance. The tape 61 can be formed of thermoplastic material or it can be a nonthermoplastic material provided with a coating of thermoplastic material compatible and heat-scalable to the thermoplastic coating on the container. It is presently preferable that the nonthermoplastic material have a heat-reflective outer surface to prevent any weakening of the bond between tape 61 and the container during the time the top section of the container is being subjected to radiant heat in preparation for sealing the rib panels to form the central laminar ridge. The ends 62 of tape 61 extend beyond the ends of the second end closure panel to provide grasping tabs.

In accordance with the present invention tape 61 is provided with a tab portion 63, which projects upwardly from the plane of the second end closure panel. As illustrated in FIGURE 4, tab 63 can be formed by a simple outwardly extending fold in tape 61. The fold 63 is transverse to the lentgh of tape 61 and is located substantially at the center or mid-point of tape 61. If desired the contacting faces of the fold can be heat sealed to each other to strengthen tab 63. The container of FIGURES 1 and 3 can be opened by applying outward pressure against the fold-back panels 47 and 48 to cause a separation of the bond between adjacent faces of ridge panels 51 and 52. The container at this point is illustrated in FIGURE 3. The tab 63 is then grasped and pulled outwardly from the container. As tape 61 separates from the container, the portions of panels 46, 47 and 48 below slit 60 move outwardly with the tape until the tape is completely separated from the container, leaving the pouring spout in the opened position illustrated in FIGURE 5.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, the illustrated pull tab tape 81 is formed by utilizing a tape having a length greater than twice the desired final length, folding the outer portions 82 and 83 of the tape back over the outer surface of the center portion 84 of tape 61 and bonding the ends 85 and 86 to each other to form an upstanding pull tab. The back surface of the center portion 84 is bonded, as by heat sealing, to the container in the same manner as tape 61 in FIGURE 3. However, the front or outer surface of the center portion 84 is not bonded to the back surface of portions 82 and '83. This can be accomplished by heat sealing the center portion 84 to the container, folding end portions 82 outwardly and then inwardly over portion 84, causing ends 85 and 86 to contact each other and heat sealing the ends 85 and 86 to each other. The outward pull on the pull tab formed by ends 85 and 86 applies tension to the outer ends of center portion 84 initially as opposed to the initial tension on the center section of tape 61. The last portion of the tape attached to the container will be on the triangular end panel 46 and a downwardly directed final pull on the tape causes the tape to separate from the portion of the container above the slit 60, then the pouring spout to open to the position of FIGURE 5, and finally the completion of the separation of the tape 81 from the container. The bonding of the tape 81 to the portion of panel 46 below slit 60 can be made stronger than the remainder of the bonding of the tape 81 to the container to maintain the attachment of tape 81 to the portion of panel 46 below slit 60 until the pouring spout has been opened.

Referring now to FIGURES 7 and 8, tab tape 91 has a horizontally, or longitudinally, folded loop 92 throughout the horizontal length of tape 91 to form a pull tab. Preferably tabe 92 is positioned in the upper half of the tape 91 and is located above the slit 60, as illustrated in the detail of FIGURE 8. A pull on tab 92 causes tape 91 to separate from the portion of the container above slit 60 before separation below slit 60 is completed. The pull can be applied at the center of tab 92 or at one or both ends as desired.

While the invention is particularly applicable to gable top containers utilizing a cover tape to seal or protect a weakened line of severance located in one of the roof panels or one of the infolded panels, the pull tab tape can be employed with other gable top containers which do not utilize a weakened line of severance.

I claim:

1. An article of manufacture comprising a gable top container having a pouring spout panel which has an initial position when said gable tab container is sealed and an extended position when said gable top contaner is opened, and a pull tab tape attached to said pouring spout panel, said pull tab tape having a pull tab formed at least in the central portion thereof; wherein said gable top container comprises a tubular body, a bottom closure fixed to said body, a pair of opposed roof panels inclining toward each other and overlying the top of said body, a pair of opposed triangular end closure panels infolded between said roof panels from the opposite gable ends formed by the latter, first and second pairs of triangular fold-back panels, each pair of triangular fold-back panels being joined to the opposite sides of a respective one of said triangular end closure panels along fold lines which are in proximity with said roof panels, said fold-back panels being folded against the underside of said roof panels, a ridge panel surmounting each of said roof panels, a ridge panel surmounting each of said fold-back panels, each pair of ridge panels surmounting a pair of fold-back panels being hinged together at the apex of the continguous end closure panel and being folded about such hinge joinder in face-to-face relation, between the ridge panels surmounting said roof panels.

2. An article of manufacture in accordance with claim 1 wherein the rectangular end closure panel formed by one of said triangular end closure panels and its associated pair of triangular fold-back panels is provided with a weakened line of severance lying solely within the upper portion thereof below the respective surmounting ridge panels and extending transversely of said rectangular end closure panel and terminating at its ends in spaced relation to the side edges of said rectangular end closure panel, said rectangular end closure panel having a coating of thermoplastic material permanently bonded on the ex terior side thereof; and wherein said pull tab tape overlies the exterior side of said weakened line of'severance, at least the surface of said tape confronting said rectangular end closure panel being formed of thermoplastic material heat-scalable to said thermoplastic coating on said rectangular end closure panel, said tape being bonded to the entire marginal area of said rectangular end closure panel about said weakened line of severance by the heat sealing of said thermoplastic materials.

3. An article of manufacture in accordance with claim 2 wherein said pull tab is formed by a fold in said tape, said fold extending outwardly from said rectangular end closure panel.

4. An article of manufacture in accordance with claim 3 wherein said fold is transverse to the length of said tape and is located over said triangular end closure panel of said rectangular closure panel.

5. An article of manufacture in accordance with claim 3 wherein said fold extends longitudinally throughout the length of said tape, said fold being positioned in the upper half of said tape and above said weakened line of severance.

6. An article of manufacture in accordance with claim 2 wherein the center portion, with respect to length, of said tape is bonded to said container and the outer portions of said tape are folded over said center portion to bring the outer ends of said tape into contact with each other to form said pull tab extending outwardly from said rectangular closure panel, the contacting surfaces of said outer ends of said tape being bonded to each other.

7. An article of manufacture in accordance with claim 2 wherein said tape comprises a nonthermoplastic material having a coating of a thermoplastic material on at least one side thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,189,253 6/1965 Mojonnier 229-66 3,217,966 11/1965 Kelly 229-l7 3,295,739 1/1967 Wilcox 22917 3,348,755 10/1967 MacEwen 22917 3,355,083 11/1967 Wilcox 229-17 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 229-37, 151 

